Majimaya: A Revolutionary Confectionery Tool Shop

Masahiro Yoshida's Innovative Design Wins Silver A' Design Award

The inspiration for Majimaya came from the Japanese tradition of incorporating seasonal elements into spaces when welcoming guests. Yoshida envisioned a store that could be "dressed" differently depending on the season, creating a unique, ever-changing shopping experience.

One of the challenges Yoshida faced was the need to display 3000 different types of molds in a way that was both visually appealing and functional. The solution was to create a central display with evacuation stairs and protective fences, surrounded by 3000 tin boxes. Each box is linked to a display, allowing customers to easily find and select the molds they need.

Another challenge was the shop's location in an arcade area, where the basement and second floor were not effective spaces for shopping. Yoshida tackled this by connecting all floors with split-level floors, subtly guiding customers to move up and down while choosing molds. This innovative approach solved the unique problem of the arcade area.

The project, which started in Tokyo in February 2016 and ended in June 2020, was a collaborative effort. Yoshie Ishii, a talented designer, also contributed to the design process. The result is a unique retail space that effectively showcases a vast array of products while providing an engaging, stress-free shopping experience for customers and staff alike.

The Majimaya project is a testament to Yoshida's ability to innovate and solve complex design problems. His work is not only aesthetically pleasing but also functional and efficient, qualities that have earned him the Silver A' Design Award. This award is given to designs that demonstrate outstanding expertise, innovation, and artistic skill, and that evoke positive feelings, amazement, and wonder.